2013 Alaska Mother and Young Mother of the Year Are Announced.
Verneta Wallace has been named Alaska's 2013 Mother of the Year. Verneta is married to David and they have 2 children, 3 grandchildren, and have been foster parents to 109 children over 23 years through the State of Alaska and Catholic Social Services. She served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for children for 8 years, also serving as President for CASA's for children and President of the Foster Parent Association. She has been involved with church activities such as working with youth groups, being Counselor and Head Girls Counselor at Midnight Sun Bible Camp, and Ladies Retreat Coordinator for 25 years.
Verneta is the youngest of 3 girls and attended college in Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Alaska. She is certified in Floral Design and Christian Counseling. Verneta's life has been not only about serving and loving the children in her home, but also all children in her community.
Verneta says, "being a mother has shown me that I can be stronger than I ever thought I could be yet brought to a weakness through the acts of love and kindness shown by my children (and grandchildren). I have learned that being a mother is not an easy task and that tough love is indeed incredibly tough. Being a mother has shown me the strength that human beings possess and the cruelty that others can inflict upon other human beings. Mothering has enabled me to be more empathetic...and mothering other parent's children has shown me that when the human spirit has been damaged that unconditional love can heal."
Verneta is the youngest of 3 girls and attended college in Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Alaska. She is certified in Floral Design and Christian Counseling. Verneta's life has been not only about serving and loving the children in her home, but also all children in her community.
Verneta says, "being a mother has shown me that I can be stronger than I ever thought I could be yet brought to a weakness through the acts of love and kindness shown by my children (and grandchildren). I have learned that being a mother is not an easy task and that tough love is indeed incredibly tough. Being a mother has shown me the strength that human beings possess and the cruelty that others can inflict upon other human beings. Mothering has enabled me to be more empathetic...and mothering other parent's children has shown me that when the human spirit has been damaged that unconditional love can heal."
Ann Keffalos has been named Alaska's 2013 Young Mother of the Year. Ann is married to Chris and has 4 children ages 14, 13, 11, and 8. As a young girl, Ann dreamed of being a mom, having a loving husband, and sharing the joy of music with others. Ann participated in music, sports, and church youth groups in her high school years. In college, while earning a degree in Elementary Education, she began to travel and met her husband on an exchange program at the University of South Carolina. Ann and Chris moved to Alaska in 1994 and have been on an adventure ever since with the birth of their four children and the many activities they enjoy as a family.
Ann has taught piano lessons for 16 years, mentors young mothers at Changepoint, hosts and mentors young married couples bible study groups, and serves on the Changepoint worship team, and Women's Refresher team. She is a PTA volunteer, a Mighty Mite volunteer, an Avalanche Wrestling volunteer, a Thanksgiving Blessing volunteer, a missionary representative, and a pre-marriage counselor.
Ann says, "becoming a mother has made me realize what self-sacrifice is all about. I have always realized that serving others requires self-sacrifice, but self-sacrifice as a mother means I give of myself when I don't feel well, when I don't think I have time, and when I just don't want to. I have also learned that I must be intentional in everything I do as a mother. By being intentional, my children will have opportunities to learn what it means to be a servant, productive citizen, and enjoy life as an adventure."
Verneta and Ann will be honored at American Mothers Alaska Association Annual Banquet on April 12, 2013. Four Mothers of Achievement, Lillian Lauwers, Patricia Jasper, Ruth Stratton, Penny Campbell and Joy Collins will also be honored at the banquet for their accomplishments and ability to inspire those in our community.
Verneta and Ann will then attend and represent mothers in Alaska at the American Mothers National Convention in New York City, April 25-27, 2013 where a National Mother and Young Mother of the Year will be selected from each of the State Mothers. They will also obtain valuable training through intensive seminars and workshops in areas of leadership, family advocacy, and anti-pornography.
Paige Searles is Alaska's 2013 Fifth Grade Essay Contest Winner. Paige's essay (right) on what her mother means to her has been submitted to the National Essay Contest to compete with other Fifth Grade Essays from around the country. Paige will present her essay at the American Mothers Annual Honors Banquet help April 19, 2013.
The American Mothers Fifth Grade Essay Contest is conducted yearly. Students participate by writing an essay entitled "What My Mother Means to Me." Entries are accepted beginning every September 30th. All entries must be received by the AMI State or National Essay Contest Chairman by February 20th. Winners are announced at the end of March so the States are able to recognize their award recipients in time for Mother's Day.
Ann has taught piano lessons for 16 years, mentors young mothers at Changepoint, hosts and mentors young married couples bible study groups, and serves on the Changepoint worship team, and Women's Refresher team. She is a PTA volunteer, a Mighty Mite volunteer, an Avalanche Wrestling volunteer, a Thanksgiving Blessing volunteer, a missionary representative, and a pre-marriage counselor.
Ann says, "becoming a mother has made me realize what self-sacrifice is all about. I have always realized that serving others requires self-sacrifice, but self-sacrifice as a mother means I give of myself when I don't feel well, when I don't think I have time, and when I just don't want to. I have also learned that I must be intentional in everything I do as a mother. By being intentional, my children will have opportunities to learn what it means to be a servant, productive citizen, and enjoy life as an adventure."
Verneta and Ann will be honored at American Mothers Alaska Association Annual Banquet on April 12, 2013. Four Mothers of Achievement, Lillian Lauwers, Patricia Jasper, Ruth Stratton, Penny Campbell and Joy Collins will also be honored at the banquet for their accomplishments and ability to inspire those in our community.
Verneta and Ann will then attend and represent mothers in Alaska at the American Mothers National Convention in New York City, April 25-27, 2013 where a National Mother and Young Mother of the Year will be selected from each of the State Mothers. They will also obtain valuable training through intensive seminars and workshops in areas of leadership, family advocacy, and anti-pornography.
Alaska's 2013 Fifth Grade Essay Winner presents her essay at the Annual Honors Banquet
Paige Searles is Alaska's 2013 Fifth Grade Essay Contest Winner. Paige's essay (right) on what her mother means to her has been submitted to the National Essay Contest to compete with other Fifth Grade Essays from around the country. Paige will present her essay at the American Mothers Annual Honors Banquet help April 19, 2013.
The American Mothers Fifth Grade Essay Contest is conducted yearly. Students participate by writing an essay entitled "What My Mother Means to Me." Entries are accepted beginning every September 30th. All entries must be received by the AMI State or National Essay Contest Chairman by February 20th. Winners are announced at the end of March so the States are able to recognize their award recipients in time for Mother's Day.
